County/In Brief

September 27, 2013

Maui County Council Member Elle Cochran has been named to the National Association of Counties Agriculture and Rural Affairs Steering Committee.

Committee members play a critical role in advancing legislative and policy priorities important to the nation's counties, such as renewable energy, food safety and conservation, a news release said.

Cochran will serve on the committee for the 2013-2014 term.

She previously was on the Environment, Energy and Land Use Committee of NACo for the 2011-2012 term.

Cochran chairs the council's Infrastructure and Environmental Management Committee. She holds the West Maui residency seat.

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Man accused of stealing purse

A Wailuku man was arrested Wednesday night for allegedly running off with a woman's purse and getting into a fight with her boyfriend near Bank of Hawaii in Kahului, police said.

Abraham Vierra, 21, was charged with second-degree robbery and is being held in the Wailuku jail. Bail has not been set.

The incident occurred around 8:14 p.m. when Vierra and another man approached the couple, who were eating dinner outside of Whole Foods Market at the Maui Mall, said Lt. Jayson Rego of the Criminal Investigation Division. He said Vierra grabbed the 31-year-old woman's purse and ran across Kaahumanu Avenue toward Kahului Harbor.

The 34-year-old boyfriend chased after Vierra and the two got into a fight when Vierra was seen exiting the bank, Rego said. He said during the fight, the woman tried to regain her purse but was knocked to the ground.

Police officers arrived at the scene with the two men still fighting and arrested Vierra, Rego said. He said approximately $900 and all other stolen items were returned to the woman.

Police could not locate the man with Vierra, and the case is still under investigation, Rego said.

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Man rescued at Hookipa Beach Park

A 30-year-old man was rescued Thursday off Hookipa Beach Park after he was separated from his windsurfing board, a fire official said.

Paia firefighters responded to the 3:09 p.m. alarm after a lifeguard saw the man having difficulty in the water, said Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.

He said that a county Ocean Safety lifeguard on a rescue board retrieved the man and brought him to shore. He was being treated by lifeguards when firefighters arrived at the beach.

Firefighters carried the man along the rocky shoreline and trail to awaiting medics. The man was transported in serious condition to Maui Memorial Medical Center.

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Submissions sought for craft fair guide

The Maui News' annual Holiday Craft Fair Guide will be published in the Oct. 20 issue. To be included in the guide, please submit the following information no later than 5 p.m. Oct. 14.

* Photos may be submitted for consideration. Email digital images in tif, jpg or eps formats with a minimum resolution of 300 pixels per inch at 6 inches wide for horizontals and 4 inches wide for verticals. Individuals in photos must be identified by first and last name.

Submit the material by mail to The Maui News, Holiday Craft Fair Guide, 100 Mahalani St., Wailuku 96793, by email to citydesk@mauinews.com, or by fax to 242-9087.